Fraunhofer FOKUS has presented a new framework for quantum computing called Qrisp. Qrisp is a high-level programming language that strives to enable efficient and scalable writing of quantum algorithms for quantum systems and an associated framework. The aim is to open up quantum computing to a broader audience of the developer community than before. Qrisp supports common programming paradigms, including variables, if conditions, and loops, and can be compiled down to the quantum circuit level, making it compatible with most of today’s physical backends that use quantum circuits.
High-level programming languages serve as a “bridge language” between humans and machines for writing computer programs. The oldest high-level programming languages include FORTRAN, ALGOL, and LISP. With high-level languages, you are able to express more complex relationships in a compact way, allowing for more readable source code and reduced recursive tasks. Cross-functional recycling of quantum resources is a major hurdle in quantum computing, but Qrisp has a sophisticated qubit management system that automates the reuse of recycled quantum resources across functions in the new framework.
Qrisp is considered lightweight and fast, enabling a convenient development workflow. The approach presented in the Qrisp tutorial involves around ten different quantum variables, whose respective qubits are repeatedly unraveled and reused for other variables. The example should illustrate how Qrisp “as a high-level language enables new and scalable solutions for complicated problems.” This is likely to be an integral part of the future of quantum information science.
Quantum computing is imminent, and the first systems of industrial dimensions can be expected from 2025, according to physicist and former CTO of Deutsche Bahn Prof. Dr. Sabina Jeschke. The costs of quantum computing would fall over time, and the energy requirements for computing processes in particular would be significantly lower than in conventional data centers. Jeschke strongly advised dealing with quantum algorithms, as quantum computing will soon enable energy-saving high-performance computing and thus trigger a disruption. The predicted potential for saving energy in high-performance computing is also likely to be the reason why the Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection is funding the Fraunhofer FOKUS project on Qrisp.
Further information on Qrisp can be found on the project website, where it is available as open source software in the Fraunhofer repository at GitHub. A tutorial is also available to familiarize users with the framework, and the team provides in-depth documentation on Qrisp in the “Reference” area.
